Casperia: Medieval Old Town and Regional Cuisine

Casperia combines a medieval townscape with history and local food culture. The town was formerly known as Aspra. If you are looking for a hotel in Casperia, the old town offers a clear point of reference when choosing where to stay: its concentric rings of streets and historic gates shape the character of the center.

Medieval Lanes and Town Gates

The rings of streets in the old town narrow along the hillside and converge at Piazza S. Giovanni Battista, by the parish church of the same name. The settlement is surrounded by walls dating from 1282. It can only be entered on foot, through Porta Romana in the west or Porta di S. Maria in the northeast; the old town is completely inaccessible to cars. When looking for a hotel in Casperia, distinguishing between the town and its historic center, which is accessible only on foot, is a useful point of reference.

Porta di S. Maria is also known as Porta Reatina. A clock at this gate displays medieval canonical time. This combines practical orientation at the two town gates with a distinctive detail of the historic site. The street layout, walls, and gates give the center its distinct contours: concentric routes along the hillside, a clearly defined settlement, and two named pedestrian entrances.

Church History in Legarano

In the municipality, the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary stands in the ancient settlement of Legarano, 3 km north of Casperia town center. It was built in the early Middle Ages over the remains of a Roman villa rustica and served as a parish church until 1409. Its floor plan is in the shape of a Latin cross, and its nave is single-aisled. The cross shape describes the layout, while “single-aisled” further specifies the design of the nave.

The Last Judgment, a painting by Bartolomeo Torresani from 1561, is housed in an adjoining private chapel. The church’s history and the dated painting offer different historical perspectives: from its early medieval origins and former role as a parish church to a work of art from the 16th century.

Stringozzi and Local Culture

The Pro Loco of Casperia rediscovered stringozzi in 1983. The Sagra has promoted it continuously as a local traditional product. At the 44th edition of the Sagra dei Stringozzi Aspresi, held from 29 July to 2 August 2026, the program combined local cuisine with live music and entertainment for all age groups. A municipal notice dated 28 March 2024 also lists “stringozzi aspresi” among the newly recognized products that characterize the agriculture and gastronomy of Lazio.

The Presepe Monumentale depicts about a dozen views of the medieval old town in miniature. The Teatro Ignazio Gennari also has a local cultural connection in its name: it is named after the dialect poet Ignazio Gennari. In the upper part of Casperia stands the Leccio di Aspra, a centuries-old holm oak. It is on private property but is clearly visible.

Things to Do in Town and Nearby

Trekking and cycling are among the outdoor activities associated with Casperia. Nearby, a walking trail described as easy leads from the last foothills of Via S. Maria to Cerro di Valle Ferrara in Valle Ferrara in about an hour. This distinguishes general types of activities from a specific walking trail with an approximate duration—a useful distinction if you are looking for a more precise walking time to help plan your trip.

A cooking school for learning Italian cuisine is located at Via Massari 34. Historical medieval archery with the archers of the Casperia Media Aetate association is also listed as an activity. These themes add to the picture of a town whose cultural connections are reflected not only in its old town architecture but also in regional cuisine, art, and named activities.

Discover more destinations: Magliano Sabina, Castel di Tora, Poggio Bustone, Limiti Di Greccio, Stimigliano, Sellecchia, Piano, Colle Di Tora.

For the broader travel overview: Rieti.